Worldroom MICE Tourism Guide: India 2008


	Previous Edition archive
	Worldroom National Tourism Guide INDIA 2008archive


	Imagine floating down a small stream on a boat, everything around you encompassed by nature, by beauty, and by silence. Imagine the slow cautious walk of a tiger, and the confident arrogance of a crocodile. Sunderbans National Park offers one all this and more. Sunderbans, literally meaning 'Beautiful Forest' may derive its name from the abundance of the Sundari (mangrove) trees found in the region. A part of one of the world's biggest deltas, formed by the Ganges and the Brahmaputra river, the Sunderbans National Park is home to the largest population of the Royal Bengal Tiger. It extends from the Hooghly river estuary in the left to the Meghna river estuary in Bangladesh to the east, covering over 260 Kms. The whole area comprises of large mangrove forests, and swamps, interwoven as islands in a network of streams and river tributaries. Located between 30° 24' - 30° 28' N longitude and between 77° 40' - 77° 44' E latitude, this park covers an area of about 1330 square kilometers. Sunderbans National Park was declared as a wildlife sanctuary in 1977, being declared as a National Park in 1984. In 1986, it was recognized by UNESCO as a world heritage site, and was declared a Biosphere reserve in 1989. The temperatures can range between 10 degrees Celsius in winters to over 40 degrees Celsius in the summer. Being in the proximity of the Bay of Bengal, the Sunderbans National Park has very high humidity, and receives heavy rainfall during the Monsoon season. This season lasts from mid-June to mid-September. The best time to visit Sunderbans National Park is hence between October and March. The Sunderbans forests are inhabited by more than 400 tigers. The Royal Bengal tiger being a rare species has survived in abundant numbers in this area owing to its adaptability to the saline waters and their abilities as great swimmers. Apart from the tigers, Sunderbans National Park also boasts of a large population of Chital, Wild boars, common grey mongoose, flying fox, Jungle cat, Macaques, fishing cats, etc. Sunderbans also has a large population of birds, mainly in the Sajnakhali Sanctuary, which is considered a part of the Sunderbans National Park. These include several different colored species of Kingfisher, white-bellied Sea Eagle, Plovers, Sandpipers, lap-wings, Whimbrels and even Pelicans. Sunderbans also has a crocodiles in large numbers. Bhagabatpur is famous for having a hatchery of the largest crocodiles in the world. Apart from crocodiles, reptiles such as the King cobra, Pythons, etc also abound in the Sunderbans forests. Sunderbans also is home to the Olive Ridley Turtle, an endangered species. Sunderbans forests have enchanted many by its natural beauty. In the months of April and May, the leaves of Genwa, red in colour, and yellow flowers of the Khalsi add to the charm of these forests. Sunderbans forests consist of over 50 small islands, and some of these islands offer pure spiritual bliss. To be back in nature, leaving city life miles behind, one gets an opportunity to be oneself, and return to himself. The way to see the Sunderbans National Park is through hired boats and luxury launches. One floats down the small little lanes formed by the rivers meandering their way through the alluvial soils and forests to reach the seas. These boats are provided by the tourism department. When speaking of Sunderbans, one cannot not but make a reference to the mysticism surrounding the Royal Bengal Tiger, and its man-eating tendencies. Perhaps the last of the man-eating tigers, these jungle cats kill upto 100-400 people every year. Various theories abound on their tendencies, ranging from their getting used to Human Flesh and developing a 'taste' for it over time, to the fact that drinking salty water puts these tigers in a permanent state of discomfort making them more aggressive. Another theory suggests that due to the thick forest cover, it becomes difficult for the tigers to hunt their prey, and owing to the slowness of humans, they become easier targets. Many theories exist to understand this tendency of this Big cat, but the need to stop this tendency of theirs, or at least reduce it was the driving force behind steps that have been taken to reduce risk to humans. A lot of training is imparted, and awareness is spread in the neighbouring areas regarding the same. Many traditions propound from paying tributes to the lord of the tigers Daskin Ray , to wearing face masks, to avoid tackles with this beast. Whence in Sunderbans National Park, one must pay a visit to neighboring areas such as Kanak, the nesting place for the Olive Ridley Turtles, Netidhopani where ancient temples add an aura of mystery to the air, Bhagabatpur and its crocodiles, Haliday island and its Barking deers, and the beautiful island of Kaikhali. Piyali is another small detour one must make. This serves as an entrance to the Sunderbans national Park and its peaceful environment makes for an ideal romantic destination. One can reach Sunderbans by roads, railways, waterways or by air. The nearest airport is at Kolkata (112 Kms from Sundrban National park), and Canning serves as the nearest railway station (48 Kms). Road transportation is available from Kolkata for Namkhana (105 kms), Sonakhali (100 kms), Raidighi (76 kms), Canning (64-kms), and Najat (92 kms), which are all near the Sunderbans and have access to the riverine waterways leading to it. Last but not the least, one can also reach Sunderbans using the riverrine waterways. Motor launch facility are available from Namkhana - Bhagabatpur Crocodile Project- Sagar Island -Jambudwip; from Sajnekhali - Sudhanyakhali-Buridabri- Netidhopan-Holiday Island; from Sonakhali - Gosaba; from Raidighi - Kalas. The beauty of Sunderbans lies in its ability to remind one of oneself. With many different kinds of flora and fauna resting in its lap, one has to just pack his bag and leave to experience something of the old world. Something closer to life. Something of his own.